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The International Trademark Association Announces its 2014-2017 Strategic Plan

11-Jan-2014|Source : AG-IP News|Visits : 4985

NEW YORK, NY - Recent reports published in Europe and the US show how Intellectual Property (IP) is playing an increasingly important role in the global economy. A 2012 report released by the US Commerce Department found that IP-intensive industries generated a large portion (34.8%) of the total economic activity (GDP) in the US. This is also the case in the EU; a 2013 study by the Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (OHIM) and the European Patent Office found that 39% of GDP in the EU is attributed to IP-intensive industries. Moreover, IP supports millions of jobs across multiple industries, and wages in these jobs are notably higher than in non-IP-industries—40% and 42% in the EU and US, respectively. Finally, the studies conducted in the EU and the US both found that trademark-intensive industries account for the highest shares of both employment and GDP.

“The promotion of trademarks is central to INTA’s mission. This is because we represent the interests of both brand owners—our core membership—and consumers,” said Mei-lan Stark, INTA President and Senior Vice President of Intellectual Property at Fox Entertainment Group. “Consumers rely on trademarks to differentiate products in the marketplace and to make repeat purchases with confidence. While globalization and the expansion of the Internet are positive forces in the marketplace, they’re also creating the need for greater cross-border protections to safeguard consumers against counterfeits and other unauthorized and dangerous products.”

The International Trademark Association begins 2014 with a new four-year strategic plan that will guide its activities in support of trademarks and related intellectual property in order to protect consumers and to promote fair and effective commerce. According to INTA, the 2014–2017 Strategic Plan sets out INTA’s four high-level strategic directions: the protection of trademarks; communications; international expansion; and member satisfaction. As part of the 2014–2017 Strategic Plan, INTA will continue to develop its already strong ties with IP offices, government officials, associations and other groups around the world and will create an energetic program to explain the benefits of trademarks and IP for consumers, national economies and society at large.

Over the coming months, Ms. Stark and INTA CEO Etienne Sanz de Acedo will be available by phone to discuss the 2014–2017 Strategic Plan. They will also be available in person at INTA’s upcoming Annual Meeting—its first in Asia—which will be held from May 10 through 14, 2014, in Hong Kong SAR, China. To request an interview with Ms. Stark and Mr. Sanz de Acedo, or to apply for a complimentary press pass to the 2014 Annual Meeting, contact JC Darné at jdarne@inta.org

The International Trademark Association (INTA) is a global association of trademark owners and professionals dedicated to supporting trademarks and related intellectual property in order to protect consumers and to promote fair and effective commerce. Members include more than 6,400 trademark owners, professionals and academics from more than 190 countries, who benefit from the Association’s global trademark research, policy development, education and training, and international network. Founded in 1878, INTA is headquartered in New York City, with offices in Shanghai, Brussels and Washington, D.C., and representatives in Geneva and Mumbai.